UTEP Blazes Past East Carolina in C-USA Tournament

EL PASO, Texas (AP) — Julian Washburn scored 20 points as No. 5 seed UTEP rolled to a 77-68 win over 12th-seeded East Carolina in the Conference USA second round Wednesday night.

UTEP (23-9) will play No. 4 seed Southern Mississippi (26-5) in the quarterfinals Thursday.

Washburn scored 13 points as UTEP jumped out to a 26-8 start. The Miners led 42-26 at the break and never trailed.

John Bohannon did not miss a shot on 6-of-6 shooting from the field and made three free throws, finishing with 15 points and 11 rebounds. Vince Hunter scored 12 points and Matt Willms added 11 for the Miners, who now have won three-straight.

Prince Williams, Paris Roberts-Campbell and Akeem Richmond each scored 14 points to lead East Carolina (17-16). Williams dished out five assists and Caleb White added 13 points for the Pirates.